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City gears up to pre-empt swine flu epidemic

New Delhi, Feb 7, 2013, DHNS

Amid a sudden spurt in H1N1 (swine flu) cases in the city, more than 60 cases and three deaths, the health department on Thursday identified 17 government and five private hospitals for providing isolation care and treatment.

Health Minister Dr A K Walia instructed the hospitals to compulsorily have intensive care facilities and ventilators. He said during January and February, 60 cases of swine flu have been reported so far and three patients have died.

“Keeping in view of the growing incidence of H1N1, there is an immediate need for gearing up arrangements at optimal level and they have been made accordingly,” said Dr Walia.

The minister held a review meeting of health department officials and officers from National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), medical superintendents of government and private hospitals.

Dr Walia directed all the hospitals to have a nodal officer for H1N1 cases so that patients receive immediate attention.

According to the minister, testing for H1N1 cases is done at NICD, AIIMS and Patel Chest Institute. “Five private laboratories also have these facilities,” he said.